May 28, 2024 – Kewaskum, WI – Kewaskum-area speed skater Jordan Stolz has won the prestigious Eric Heiden Award. In Heiden’s introduction he said, “This kid…” and shook his head. “Can’t we just put him in the Hall of Fame now?”
Heiden, a 5-time Winter Olympic gold medalist, praised Stolz for his record-setting season. Heiden’s presentation speech is below.
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“Anyone who watched Jordan Stolz last season might have wondered how he would top it this season. Well, he did. This season, Jordan took home 11 World Cup Golds. At World Cup 5 in Salt Lake City, he set National Records in the 500m and 1500m and a World Record in the 1000m with a time of 1.05.37. At the 2024 World Championships in Calgary, he won Gold in all three distances again, becoming the first man to repeat such a feat and setting another National Record in the 500m. He then went to World Allrounds Championships and set another World Record for highest point total won in the history of the Men’s Allround Championships and became the youngest man to win the championship since in 1977.” Eric Heiden
During a one-on-one interview with Heiden, he described Stolz as dedicated, focused, and full of potential.
“For speed skating he’s sort of a once in a generation talent and I don’t think he yet really knows what his limits are. He’s certainly done well in the shorter distances and the middle distances but last year he started spending a little bit more time in the 5,000m and 10,000m and I think he was pleasantly surprised with his results. He’s got a lot of potential there also,” said Heiden.
Two things about Stolz stand out to Heiden. “He’s very technically sound as a skater and has a good feel for the ice. He also has mental fortitude and the ability to really push himself when he’s out there skating, sometimes beyond what he’s comfortable with.”
Stolz finished the year with amazing achievements and many times, people wonder, is Eric Heiden watching? Heiden said he is definitely following Stolz, and his career and the young skater has even rekindled Heiden’s passion for the sport.
“If they’re skating in Salt Lake, like last year they had either a World Cup or Four Continents’ Championships and I went down to watch,” he said. “At the Hall of Fame banquet, I was lucky enough to sit with Jordan and his family and we get to catch up on how the year went and what his expectations are for the next year.
“I do stay in touch with his coach a little bit just to find out what he’s doing because I love watching the guy skate. He’s sort of rejuvenated my interest in speed skating to see a guy do things that I used to be able to do,” Heiden said.
Comparing the two skaters, Heiden said Stolz is walking in lockstep with how he progressed in his career.
Stolz’s coach Bob Corby said that at the banquet, “they saved the Heiden award for last and had just inducted two people into the Hall of Fame.”
Heiden said, “This year Jordan did what no one but me, him and a few others thought he could do. He is the best sprinter on the planet- 6 world championships in 2 years! Then he takes on the best distance skaters in the world and beats them in the World Allround Championships.”
(note: Eric Heiden won in 1977, and is still the youngest man to win World Allrounds)
Corby said, “Only Erik Heiden, Shani Davis and now Jordan Stolz have ever done that. He placed himself with two of the best skaters who have ever lived!”
USS_Award_Winners_-_Sheet1
ERIC HEIDEN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Jordan Stolz, 2023 Recipient
Named for Eric Heiden due to his high level of achievement
- Recommendations of eligible athletes made by the High-Performance team – awarded to one athlete
- Started in 2003, but only awarded as deemed necessary
- Final decision made by USS President or committee created by the President
- Given to athlete with the highest achievement of the season
- Olympic events and World Championships carry more weight than World Cup titles or national championships
- If a Short Track and Long Track athlete are deserving, a decision must be made between the two
- Recommendations made at the end of the elite skating season, a minimum of four weeks prior to the USS Congress
